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anki-of-beleriand · 11 months

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Do not hesitate

Summary: After two years of relationship you and Wanda finally got on a well-deserved holidays. You have plans, but at some point you get sidetracked and she has to redirect you where she wants you to be.

Pairing: Wanda/Female!Reader

Warnings: None, just fluff, suggestive themes and reader being foolish.

Author's note: This particular story was born out of something and someone I met recently. I dedicated this story to her even though I know she would never read it and it is part of those unrequired love stories we sometimes found around.

Since I wanted it out there, I changed the name to that of Wanda because R and Wanda deserve a hapy ending.

Do not hesitate

The first thing you noticed were the heavy drops of cold rain hitting the glass of your window.

The lady in the PA was informing the rest of the passengers of the oncoming arrival to the Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia. There was a shiver of anticipation running down your body, your eyes turned directly to the window to see the silver waters of the lagoon that has surrounded the City of Bridges ever since it was established by the time Rome was still an Empire.

Your eyes followed the sweet movement of the water, the sight of boats and poles all through the waters leading to the city that had been hidden behind the rain and the fog of the early morning of February. Your heart beating with anticipation, the train travelling down the bridge getting closer and closer to its final destination.

“You look like a child that has never seen the sea before.” The sweet voice of Wanda called your attention, her eyes gleaming amusedly while her lips drew that smile that had always made you forget your own name.

“I have never seen such a sight before.” You replied without losing the smile, her hand wrapped tenderly around yours and you had to wonder how it was possible that with the smallest of gestures from her part your heart still leaped with affection.

“You have seen this before, doofus.” She snorted when you placed a hand on your chest, the faux offensive gesture made her snigger while shaking her head.

“Excuse me, but every time I am here, it is as if it was the first time…” You turned to the window once more, this time around the different buildings and the station are starting to fill the imagery. “I love coming here, you know?”

Her features softened lightly, and without you even noticing her eyes took a closer look at your frame. The tug on your hand made you turn, and soon you found yourself being kissed with tenderness. You couldn’t help it but leaned in and kissing her back, last time you were in Venice life had been different and your sister had been your only company.

Now, looking into deep brown eyes, you have to wonder how you got so lucky in life to be here with the one woman you never thought you would find.

She rolled her eyes poking playfully at your head before standing up, her hand still pretty much wrapped around yours.

“Sometimes, you think loudly, and you think too much. Let’s move it, it is raining, and I hope you can prepare me a warm bath before going out into the city.”

“God, have you always been this bossy before?” You chuckled wincing playfully at her light punch on your shoulder, both of you lowering the bags from the overhead rack.

“If I remember correctly, you fell in love with my bossiness.” Her smugness could be read in her face, she winked at you, and you just snorted following her out of the car knowing she was right.

She was always right.

The city of Venice was a world of its own creation.

The streets were made of stone, and the edifications spoke of a past that reverberated in the present while the tourists and the locals filled out the streets in the midst of a rainy morning in February. The sound of music and laughter mixed with the conversation and the preparation for the Carnival that would start the next day.

“This is amazing.” The overwhelmed statement was followed by a beaming smile while her eyes swept around the plaza leading to the Rialto Bridge. “You can actually see everyone is getting ready for the Carnival. But those masks must be expensive at this time of the year, right?”

You broke your stance, glancing around while covering the flush of embarrassment in your cheeks. She almost caught you staring, your heart breaking through your chest when you grabbed your hand trying to get your attention.

“Did you hear me? Or where you checking out the group over there?” Her teasing was quite obvious, and she pointed with her head a group of young women all talking animatedly in a corner.

You opened your eyes shaking your head, but she just chuckled shrugging while glancing back at them then at you.

“It’s okay if you were watching, you know? They’re quite attractive, the brunette one seems to be your type.”

“Why do you think she is my type?” You sputtered glancing at the young woman she was mentioning.

The woman was beautiful, soft features adorned with wavy, light brown locks and a huge smile breaking into her face. You blinked a couple of times, she looked taller than you and her body was of average build.

“You’re staring again.” She mumbled looking away while giving her back at you.

There was a single moment in which something changed around you, there was a tension you were not sure where was it coming from. Wanda walked away to one of the stores glancing at the merchandise, her eyes trying to focus on the articles inside the store instead of your reflection. You approached her placing a hand on her shoulder, after a moment she turned to you and her eyes had a hardened glint with a stretch of her lips.

“I wasn’t staring at them before you mentioned them.” You clarify, furrowing your words knowing that your explanations were not necessary but having the need to make sure she knew you had eyes for no one that wasn’t her. “Are you jealous?”

It was a simple question, but one that made you think this was something that had never happened before. Jealousy had not been part of your life for quite some time, for everyone it was quite obvious you were smitten by the woman standing before you. And while you might feel it from time to time, it had been quite innocent leaving as suddenly as it had come.

But she…she had never been vocal about those emotions.

Now, though…

She clenched her jaw looking away, pursing her lips while trying to focus her attention on the closest store.

“Should I be?” She replied harshly, her cheeks burning lightly at the simple show of weakness.

If there was something you had learned in the time you two had gotten to know one another, it was that she hated to be this vulnerable. She was a logical person, certain emotions were natural but should not transcend the scope of her own brief moments of weakness. She knew who she was, what she had, and her place in the world.

This didn’t mean she didn’t hesitate…or that, from time to time, she didn’t wonder…she didn’t question herself…

The main difference between you and her was that you wore your heart on your sleeve, while she hid it from everyone. Sometimes, including herself.

You chuckled, then broke into a fit of giggles that were your worst decision at the moment.

Her eyes opened wide, lifting her chin to the sky she turned around and started walking away.

You chuckled some more sprinting towards her, your hand on her shoulder only to have her reject your touch. You winced, laughing had been a bad thing to do when she was being this vulnerable. But you couldn’t help it. Really.

“Wait, wait…love…”

“What?” She stopped death on her tracks facing you until you had to stopped yourself from crashing against her.

Her face was a mask of emotionless danger, her eyes gleaming dangerously at you but otherwise there was no other indication that told you she was ready for you to continue with the laughter. You gulped lifting your hands in a gesture of peace.

“Did you know that you are kinda cute when angry and jealous?”

She rolled her eyes, huffing before walking away again.

You chuckled shaking your head, you knew you would pay dearly for that. But she did look cute, and it was the first time after two years of relationship that something like this happened, so better take advantage of that.

Wanda reached the bridge just in time for you to wrap your arms around her waist. You smiled placing a kiss on her cheek, the tension on her body was an indication she was still mad but not indifferent to your proximity. You kissed her cheek again nuzzling your nose on her neck.

“Did you know I’m so in love with you that I was actually checking you out and imagine what my life would be like if I have never met you?” You whispered in her ear, your lips drawing a smirk at her shiver and the intake of breath when your breath and lips teased her ear.

“You know you can’t talk your way out of your idiocy?” She replied though didn’t make any attempt to get away from you.

You took that gesture as a victory on your part, stepping away a little you wrapped your hand around hers walking down the bridge with a huge smile on your face. This trip couldn’t be any better, your eyes glancing around the place before putting her closer to you.

“I know you think my idiocy is cute from time to time.” You replied, tilting your head putting her closer to you. “And, I’m not talking my way out of this…I was really looking at you. You are looking beautiful today.”

She tried to hold back her smile. Once more she rolled her eyes but this time around, she leaned in pecking your lips.

“You better take me someplace nice, and I will think about rewarding you for such a sweet talk.”

The first day in Venice was filled with long walks down the streets and small talk in between.

It was quite curious how even after all this time, small talk about work and life could happen in such a natural way. The rain had not stopped all through the day, and the cold had been almost unbearable if it wasn’t for your clothes and the tea and coffee you both consume all through the day stroll. Night had fallen by the time you reached the shores of Saint Mark’s Square; the yellow lights surrounding the place alongside the fog took you back in time. The stories about vampires and ghouls at the tip of your tongue, but the woman walking beside you was not someone that would enjoy such folklore stories at the moment.

“Are you alright?” You finally asked, your brows knitted together in concern at her shiver.

“I’m tired, and cold.” She mumbled, though she offered a weak smile. “But I know you want to walk in this weather we could…”

You cup her cheeks in your hands, leaning in to place a kiss on her forehead before placing your scarf around her neck.

“We could go back to the AirBnB and get a warm bath, something to eat and watch some TV while I give you a nice massage and get ready for tomorrow.” You wrapped your arms around her, whatever form of protests she was going to manifest cut short by your lips placing themselves on hers.

“But…” She chuckled when you kissed her again, and again whenever she tried to speak. “Let me talk!”

“Okay, Lyubov’, go ahead.” She crunched up her nose at your nickname for her, but didn’t make any attempt to walk away from you.

“I know that you are dying to see the creepiest places in here while in this weather, and that you wanted to keep strolling around…” She tried to make a point, though by the look on your face she knew she had failed.

“You really look tired, and you look cold.” The sound of chatter surrounded the both of you, the lights were enough to make of this a scene pulled out of a movie. “Let’s go back, and tomorrow, and the day after that, and so one will be another day.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

The room was warm, and the sound of the TV filled the room in a sweet lullaby she enjoyed for a moment before succumbing to the sweet embrace of sleep. Your heart soared with affection at the sight of her face completely relaxed, with a tiny smile and her hands wrapped tightly around your pillow.

The day had been long, and both of you had walked enough to feel a pulsating pain in your feet. Putting your pjs’ on, you sneaked inside the blankets putting another pillow under your head. A single hand lifted to brush away some strand locks from her face, you placed a kiss on her forehead while your eyes drifted to your backpack.

This trip was the first one you two decided to make as a couple.

A lot of things had happened in between, and now that life seemed to be getting easier you had come to an important decision for yourself and her. Your friends had been asking non-stop about this, and you had been evading their comments up until the time you popped the question. So far, you had been a coward…

The ring you had bought for her was still in the backpack, waiting for you to dare and take that step forward.

The fear of rejection had been so latent that you hadn’t dared to do much. And the object had been always travelling with you, everywhere.

The screen on your phone came to life with the notification of a new message. You chuckled rolling your eyes when you saw the name on the screen, as soon as you opened the message the name of one of your best friends popped out. He had been the first one you revealed your intentions, and he had been with you when you chose the ring; you knew he was dying to tell this secret to everyone, mainly because of this kind of news he could not keep a secret.

His message was clear, and you knew he would be mad as soon as you answered him.

You better tell me you already pop the question, or I’m going to explode over here!

You pursed your lips, your fingers moving through the keypad of the phone. You waited, until you saw the Typing message and moments later his answer came in.

You have to do it! Why are you stalling on this? Are you having second thoughts?

‘What if she says no?’ You answer almost immediately, Wanda stirred in her sleep turning towards you, the pillow forgotten to let her arm sneak around your midsection. When your eyes went back to the screen, he had the answer you been playing with at the back of your mind.

Stop doubting yourself, and her! I expect good news soon!

The conversation died there, and you glanced at the phone for a long time before putting the object away and snuggling into the bed.

Tomorrow will be a new day.

But nothing happened the next day, or the day after that.

In fact, four days letter the trip to Venice was about to end and you hadn’t been able to give the final step.

It didn’t matter.

A part of you convinced itself that, in reality, the final question didn’t matter as long as you could hear her laugh and enjoyed her time walking down the streets of Venice while meeting different places inside The Serenissima. She was just as excited as you to visit the library of Acqua Alta, and while you distracted yourself with the local cat she was right inside reading the many titles adorning the narrow space inside the local. It was a paradise, the place itself was decorated with the spirit of the city and the water could be seen on the floor of the establishment while the low tone of conversation made you think of a library more so than a store.

The gondola holding books of history about the city made for the perfect decoration alongside the damage books on the small yard in one of the entrances. The place had its magic embedded in the spirit of books, secrets that only those fortunate enough could unfold while grabbing the right book.

You left the store with five of them.

She left with only two.

Without her knowledge, your footsteps lead you to the former church of San Barnaba. Your childish smile made her give in when you ran around the plaza while talking about Indiana Jones and the beautiful scenes filmed in the old library of the city. Wanda would follow you while listening to your non-stop babbling, and whenever it was time for you to be quiet, she would talk about her experiences and her thoughts, she would bring over facts while also possibilities.

Neither one of you said it out loud, but the both of you always thought about the obvious differences between you two. Everyone was always mentioning this, the logical and organized side of Wanda, how methodical she was and how hardworking she turned out to be. Her spirit to always be a perfectionist never leaving anything to chance but trying to control up until the last detail of the situation so the results would be what she expected them to be. She always had a plan, even when everything seemed to be alright, there was always something else she had under her sleeve to save the situation.

You were a force to be racon with.

You went right ahead with passion, and without thinking up too much of the consequences. Sometimes, you plan ahead, some others you just improvise and pray for the best result. Whether it was because you had a lucky star above your head, or because you were good at what you did, in the end you could always get the best of every situation. Even while walking around the streets of Italy, and while everything had been planned and put up in a planner and a schedule, you would come up with the most unthinkable ideas and improvise the best situations Wanda had experienced during the trip.

The both of you were so different that at some point you complemented one another.

Some said that was good, that you two would endure.

Some others said it wouldn’t last. She would get tired, and you would mess up.

There was no sun that day, and the grey clouds glided right above your head with the same wind that brought the salty aroma of the Adriatic Sea. Her hand never left yours, and her excited chatter brought a smile to your face while she talked excitedly of the piece of history, she had read for you.

“So according to tradition this bridge was for some rival gangs to fight over, and the winner was the one that threw the other to the canal. Which is the reason why this is call the Bridge of Fists.” She crunched up her nose leaning in to see the green waters down below before turning to you. “Which, let me tell you doesn’t look sanitary at all at this time, I can’t even imagine how awful must have been in the Sixteenth century.”

“Oh, imagine the smell, the appearance…the rats!”

She shivered making a face while you laughed at that, “you’re imagine it, aren’t’ you?”

“Of course, I am! Look at these waters right now!” She exclaimed waving her hands away while pointing at the waters of the canal. “They don’t look that sanitary at all, and according to some these are still one of the most contaminated waters in the world.”

“Yet this is the most beautiful and romantic city in the world!” You exclaimed wrapping your arms around her, she chuckled as you pressed her against the rails of the bridge.

“Wanna go to the Plaza and visit the Bridge of Sighs?”

“Why do you like that place so much?” She would never say it, but the stories you two had heard from one of the guides a couple of days ago still made her shiver.

You shrugged lifting your face to the sky, it was past midday and soon the afternoon cold would bring with it another fit of fog to the bay. You knew you enjoyed the sight of the open sea alongside the Lagoon and the entrance the Grand Canal. At this time of the day, the water would start lapping at the shore while still holding back and the lion in the plaza would stand with pride under the yellowish light of the lamps.

“It’s just magical, you know? But okay, it’s not so much the bridge but its location.”

“You mean the Saint Mark’s Square?” She tilted her head nodding, it was a nice sight but your eyes were just shining with something strange in them.

“Well, yes but…”

Wanda narrowed her eyes at you, the way you were fidgeting was a sign that you were hiding something from her. She just needed to know what exactly it was and how it was going to affect her and the itinerary she had prepared for that day.

“What have you planned?” Her tone of voice was between exasperate and amused.

You made a face lifting your right hand and pointing to the general direction of the square and the Grand Canal.

“There is a place that I want to show you, and it seems to be the right time to do so.” You shrugged stepping back, your hands on your pockets and your head hanging to the side. “If you want to, of course.”

All of a sudden, the small box hidden in your pocket was made unbelievably heavy and your hands started sweating while your heart was threatening to leave your chest. Her brown eyes, vibrant and full of questions pinned you to the spot, but instead of looking angry or really upset, she merely softened her stare and the warmth inside them made your soul shiver.

“Today is your lucky day, Mrs. Firenze.” You snorted at the nickname shaking your head while offering a grin.

“I hope not only the day, but the night as well.” You winked at her, and Wanda just laughed walking down the bridge shaking her head.

“That depends on this surprised, perhaps you will be lucky before we get home.”

You stood there with your mouth hanging open, your eyes following her frame before you shook your head.

“You mean, I can get lucky in one of the alleys?”

“You never know!” She replied waiting for you in the distance.

You knew it would never happen, at least not unless she was really into getting down and dirty in public. And it would never happen because whenever you were with her in a sexual way, you loved the fact you could take your time with her until the both of you were to spend to do nothing else but sleep into each other arms.

By the time you two arrived at your destination, night was already fallen.

Your jacket was tightly pressed against her frame, protecting her from the cold and the drizzle of the afternoon. Just as you predicted, the fog was filling out the bay gliding inside the Grand Canal and the city slowly but surely.

Punta Della Dogana was the triangular formation were the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal met. The wind was stronger here, the place was almost empty as many of the tourist coming to this part of the city would go directly to the museum and admired the contemporary art pieces instead of the sight of silver waters with a hidden sun and cold colours illuminating the sky.

Wanda loved it, though.

Even through the cold, she stood at the edge of the piazza admiring the boats coming into the harbour and entering the Grand Canal. She pointed to the far away islands, and the possibility of what was beyond the poles in the water. You wished you could focus your attention to the open sea, and the lights starting to create a mystical sight at the other end of the canal.

But your eyes were on her.

Her sharp features, softened only by the excitement of her smile and the brightness of her brown eyes. Her hair falling wildly on her back, and her body covered with two jackets, and white tennis that made sure she was completely protected from the cold of the afternoon. The sight of her usually stopped your heart, and made your breath caught in your throat. She was like a dream, and a part of you would always be afraid to lose her.

There was a single pole light standing right at the very edge of the land, the light twinkled for a few seconds before it turned on completely. The yellowish light fell upon her frame, and your heart stopped beating for a moment, this time around you came closer to her but it was her the first one to make contact.

Her hand was cold against yours, your eyebrows knitted together while you wrapped her hands in yours.

“You’re cold.” You whispered, she shrugged stepping closer to you.

“This is amazing.” She whispered back, and it was as if you two were sharing a secret. The sounds of random conversations filled in the space and you could feel the eyes of some of the people in the plaza on you.

“So, I will get lucky?” You wriggled your eyebrows playfully, and she couldn’t help it. She started laughing snuggling closer to you.

“Yeah, you deserve to get happy wherever you want.” The sultry tone of her proposal made you shivered, your arms wrapped around her and you glance at the sea and the sky watching as the night fall around the world, and the temperature dropped slowly.

The sound of the waves hitting the stone and the shore soothe over the hushed conversation around you, the lights of the city made it possible to see a beacon of possibilities from the darkened sea. There was something mystical about this world, and this moment; Wanda lifted her face and you found yourself looking into her eyes.

“You got silent all of a sudden, are you alright?” She was looking concern, you snorted shaking your head placing a light kiss on her lips.

“That was quiet doesn’t mean I am not okay, perhaps I was trying to choose the place I want to have my naughty way with you.”

You opened your eyes taken aback by the soft blush on her cheeks, she lowered her gaze and the bashful sight of a smile on her lips almost stopped your heart.

“And, have you chosen?”

You laughed stepping back for a moment, disbelief touching your features.

“Of course, I have! The AirBnB, Mrs. Venice.” You winked at her trying to use the same kind of nickname she used early with you, the name of the cities either one of you had chosen to visit on this trip. “I want you all to myself, so I will need you expose and begging.”

“You wish.” She replied slapping your arm playfully. “Last time, it was you who beg.”

“Shh, that’s a secret.”

She chuckled stepping back into your arms, this time around with her back against your chest, your arms wrapped around her waist glancing into the distance.

“This is really beautiful. Thank you.”

You nodded but said nothing else.

Your lips were near her ear, your warm breath making her shiver.

Biting your lower lip, trembling lightly you opened your mouth and closed it again. Then you closed your eyes and she was the one talking at first.

“I never thought I will be here with you.” Her voice was soft, full of memories and something else you couldn’t pinpoint. “It was kind of difficult to imagine myself with someone like you.”

“Aw, baby you’re so romantic.” The sarcasm was not missed by her, she tilted her head to give you a glance, you pressed your lips together letting her talk.

“I just mean…this has been different, surprising. And I love it.” She leaned back her head falling on your right shoulder. “I love you. I really do, and I’m just glad we haven’t’ complicated things with formalities and foolishness, just enjoying one another.”

Her words pierced your heart with a cold, sharp blade. You looked away from her, and your body tensed lightly while she continued.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love living with you but…just you and me without any formalities, or labels.” She pursed her lips, turning in your arms. “You know what I mean, right?”

You were caught of guard, nodding like a fool while smiling weakly at her.

“Totally.” She scratched the back of your head, trying to forget the silver ring made with a turquoise stone only for her. “I mean, marriage and other such titles complicate things, right?”

Your question carried with it the weight of your intentions; you gauged her expression and it seemed as if you had said the right thing. She nodded eagerly without missing her content expression, she went back into your arms glancing around the coast with your heart breaking a little.

The ring in your pocket never forgotten.

Winter in Venice was a chance to walk in the dark during the early hours of a Friday morning.

The watch on your wrist showed the 6 a.m. time, but the sky outside the window of your AirBnB was completely dark. The sight before you were that of the canal’s waters calmly lapping the stone edifications, the lights on the windows told you there were more people waking up at such an hour getting ready for the day.

Inside the room you could spot the black cloak with a hoodie you had chosen for your costume, the colombina nera venetian mask, and the black cane that would complement the attire. Your lips curled into a subtle smile, you had chosen the appearance of an Eighteenth-Century gentleman, while Wanda had kept her own clothes a secret from you. After almost two hours of her kicking you out of the room you were highly curious as to what she was going to wear that day, your stomach tingling in anticipation while your imagination ran rampant with the many scenarios you were capable of creating in the solitude of the living room.

As it was your custom, you favour black and silver as the colours for your garments.

For a long time, you admire those black trousers rolled up to the knees and the black tights covering the legs. The black waistcoat finished with silver braids had been a surprised, and the contrasts of these materials with the white shirt you wore underneath with the cuff lacing and lace jabot gave it a Renaissance tone that only made you chuckled at the possibility. The shoes, black and silver buckles and the black gloves were just a complementary accessory you indulged yourself with, much like the tricorn hat, the black cloak, and the black stick.

You chuckled when you remembered the options you put on the table to Wanda. Either was that or the Plague doctor. The Eighteenth-century gentleman look won in the end.

The silence inside the room became almost unbearable for a moment, the distraction dressing up and thinking about the Carnivale was not enough to make you forget the day before and the missing opportunity for the proposal.

The ring was, for the very first time ever, forgotten inside your backpack.

Once you two had arrived to the flat, your torture yourself with thoughts of what could have been and what would never be. You always assumed that Wanda would like to get married; that perhaps her past experience was not enough to deter her from trying to join her life with another. Then again, she had sworn herself to never be in another relationship and, here she was with you after two years.

Marriage though, was another thing.

Something you thought…well…

It was foolish, really.

Getting married didn’t mean you two would be forever, or even happy. It was just a title that many used as an excuse to not be alone, and she had been right, you two were just fine the way you were. There was no need for a ring, or a ceremony…

You shook your head going towards the mirror while putting your hair in a ponytail. The door of the room opening and her voice reaching out to you.

“Okay, don’t laugh and please be honest because I feel foolish.”

“I won’t laugh…I mean you didn’t…” You trailed off as soon as you turned to her.

It was as if the world had stopped completely and it was only her and you.

She had light make-up on her face, the hair had been pulled up in a half ponytail with her light brown locks falling in waves on her back. She had chosen a baby blue and grey courtesan dress that contrasted with her white skin and the pink on her cheeks. There was something adorable in the way her face broke into a bashful smile, her eyes gleaming mischievously as the settle on you while she chewed on her lower lip while playing with the fan in her hand.

“Well? What do you think?”

The bodice squeezed up her torso, highlighting her chest and her slim figure. The low neckline showed off her neck and collarbone, letting you see the softness of her skin while the sleeves fell down her arms to her hands decorated with white gloves. The gown was divided in two skirts, one that would cover the outer side of the gown, and the second one that would fall freely around her legs and the small high heels she had chosen for herself. She too had rented a cloak, dark blue, with a tricorn had of the same colour and the colombina cigno mask.

“You…” You trailed off shaking your head before approaching her taking her hands in yours while bowing your head in a dramatic way. “You look beautiful, Signora.”

She snorted looking away rather embarrassed, her cheeks burning brightly under your gaze and sincerity. You leaning nuzzling her neck and placing soft, featherlike kisses on her skin, your lips teasing her earlobe.

“You really look beautiful.” You whispered, the intake of breath on her part was all you needed to know you had affected her.

“We better get going, or all this time dressing up is going to go to hell.” She replied huskily, her eyes burning into yours.

You chuckled raising a single eyebrow at her, “why? What happened?”

“You’re gonna pay for that, you know that, right?” She replied playfully just as you put on your cloak, the mask fitting on your face just as you opened the door and placed your hat on your head.

“I don’t care as long as it is with you, Wanda.”

Even if the light of the morning had not shown by the time you left the house, the streets of Venice were full of people dressed up and ready to enjoy what The Serenissima would bring during the Carnival. It had been a dream for you to come to the city while dressing up and wearing a mask, getting lost in a world that would sometimes get lost in the best of the past and the present.

You could hear the laughter, the greetings from the locals and the admiration your outfit and hers awoke in some of the passersby. The sky started clearing up b the time you two reached the Saint Mark’s Square, you helped her up the flood ramps positioned all through the streets. The water still covering the stone of the Square, while people filled out the place wearing plastic boots.

“We didn’t think about this.” Wanda commented wincing lightly when she almost fell from the ramp.

Your arm wrapped protectively around her waist, winking at her you lift the cane in your hand offering it to her.

“My dear lady, I wouldn’t oppose to you carrying this stick if it will assure your safety during this trip.”

Her laughter was everything you needed at the moment; she slapped you playfully on your arm shaking her head while grabbing your hand.

“I prefer your hand, that stick is better off with you.” She rolled her eyes at your obvious innuendo behind the wriggling of eyebrows. “Stop your dirty mind there, doofus.”

“But you love my dirty mind!” You whined walking alongside her to the other end of the square, passing right in front of Saint Marks.

The Lagoon was cover with dark blue waters, and the light was sneaking inside the clouds and the sky bringing with it the morning mist. The daybreak was gold and red, cold winds brushed against your skin, though for the very first time Wanda and you could enjoy the breaking of the morning sun in a world that was breathing celebration.

The sound of laughter was followed by music.

Violins and drums, the screams and singing from a group of youngsters made you turned to the group that was lifting up a small scenario near the harbour. Many tourists approached the group hearing the stories and the songs while the day in Venice started with a bang.

You had been to many parties all through your life.

The world you life in was full of festivals and carnivals, they were full of tradition and happiness in itself. Many of them were a cultural mark of the place you had been born to, and while a part of your heart and soul loved what they represented; never before had you been in such a celebration.

For venetians this was part of their identity.

History stated this started around the year 1169, after the Venetian Republic won a war against Ulrico di Treven. The story itself became a legend, and the celebration started taking different forms and meanings as time passed by. Modernity only enforced this believes and engraved in the hearts of venetians the need of celebrating each year the victory of life over dead, of fun over boredom, of passion over dullness.

Walking down the streets while observing the many people dressed up as Renaissance individuals was something that had your heart leaping with happiness. Your mind had forgotten the sadness of the day before, the possibility that this relationship you had built with your heart might crumbled under the weight of small details, of great differences of thinking.

But, just as one of your bosses had said once, the devil was in the details.

“Did you see that?” Wanda was in awed, a couple of young people had started a pantomime improvisation, their ability to catch the attention of those passersby was enough to have everyone waiting for the next act.

Wanda grabbed your hand, leaning forward she laughed alongside the audience when one woman and a man crashed comically in an explosion of confetti and blue smoke. Magic and theatrics was the main component of these presentations, and soon many were giving away the price they put to such entertainment.

Your lips broke into a content grin, Wanda stood up walking towards the closest mime while placing a single note. You observed her from afar, your expression falling while you thought of the uncertainty that had grown inside your heart.

“Everything okay, baby?” Her hand cupped your cheek, the mask covered the upper side of her face but made her eyes that much darker and mysterious.

“Yeah, I just…” You leaned into her touch and decided you didn’t need a ring…to love her the way you did.

“I think I’m beat and I need a drink.”

She didn’t look convince; she knew you enough to know something else was bothering you but for now you had focused your attention in the celebrations happening around the city to delve any further into your emotions. Either way, you wouldn’t allow it as long as there was a possibility of Wanda smiling and enjoying herself the way she was doing at the moment, your selfishness was something that exasperate her sometimes. But for now, she would indulge in your stubbornness, for she knew this was a day you had been waiting impatiently as much as she had.

“I love you.” Wanda blurted out all of a sudden, your eyes opened wide at the revelation, it wasn’t as if you didn’t know that or she hadn’t said before.

It was just that she didn’t mention it as often as you did. With a single smile she leaned in wrapping her lips against yours, the warmness of her mouth made your darker fears scattered away while the sweet taste of her was enough to fuel your soul.

“So, AirBnB or something to drink?” You wriggled your eyebrows enjoying her laughter just as she stretched her hand to help you up.

“Drink first, then we will go to Rialto Bridge to see the boats.” She declared watching her mobile, or more exactly, the itinerary. “There is a couple of things I would like to see, and that I know you will love and then, if your good, tonight…You can do whatever you want with me.”

“Damn, woman, I will hold you to that!”

Wanda winked at you; her mischievous grin was all you needed to know that night you wouldn’t get any sleep.

The waters of the Grand Canal were of a deep dark green and blue, the place had been decorated with the symbol of the Lion and the Italian flag while the shores were filled with people either dressed up as participants of the Carnival or as simple tourist. The bridged was full, you placed yourself protectively behind Wanda while putting out the phone to get ready for the pictures.

The drinks had been enough, and at the moment she was still carrying an orange juice for her, and an ice coffee for you.

“This is so exciting, though I hate there is so many people.” She all but whispered for you, you chuckled nodding.

“I know, this should be only us and those who are coming in those boats and gondolas. No need for the rest of the world.” She rolled her eyes though never contradict your version.

The music filled the canal, and the chatter died off as everyone saw the different boats approaching with the many colours that adorned the celebrations. You heard her gasp, leaning forward resting her hands on the stone rail of the bridge; she grabbed your hand and the excitement in her face was quite obvious as she started pointing around while her grin almost broke her face.

Boats decorate with the colours of the Pride flag came in, people dressed up in the most ridiculous yet amusing costumes came in greeting everyone and wishing the participants the best of lucks. The music increased and every single one of those boats had put on the same song, the same playlist that resounded into the canal mixing up with the laughter and the greetings from the rowers.

Many boats came in, some of them carrying with them the red and golden lion that represented the Republica of Venezia, and some others came in with the green, white, and red representing Italy.

“Look at that one!” You pointed to a black sailed one, filled with people dressed up as Plague doctors, behind them was another one that came in with men and women dressed up with changed roles and wearing the most beautiful dresses you had ever seen.

“They look beautiful.” Wanda commented almost pouting when one of the men dressed in a bright purple courtesan dress greeted her with a wave and a kiss from his position on the boat. You returned the gestured and he merely laughed greeting you with a swing of his fan.

For more than an hour you two observed the people rowed down the canal, many of the presents had started emptying the bridge but you and Wanda had enjoyed the show too much. The conversation grew around the organization and the tradition, how simple things such as the pandemic of 2020 could have affected such events and how people endured and continue on regardless of those issues.

By the time the last boat crossed the Bridge, it was time for a late lunch.

Wanda guided you through the narrow streets of Venezia. She had a hand on her mobile and another on you, her eyes drifting from the screen to the names on the plaques hanging by the walls, as you two walked deeper inside the alleys, you stopped hearing the sound of chattering people.

"Where are you taking me?" You asked for the tenth time, the woman in front of you grinned, shaking her head.

"Nu-uh, you have taken me to so many places, this time around is my turn." She declared with a hint of pride in her voice, you cocked your head raising your brows at her declaration.

"Did you really go all the way to find something in these streets?" the hint of surprise disbelief, she furrowed her brows at this turning to you with wrinkles around her eyes.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" Her inquired was made to question you more so than to receive an answer she already knew.

You shrugged shaking your head, “I just…I think you always surprised with the most incredible gestures, that’s all.”

She halted her rush walk, her brown eyes locking with yours for what seemed like an eternity. Whenever she got that look in her face, you knew she was analysing what you said and what you meant; but instead of showing her disapproval she just softened her features and her hand squeezed yours in a tender gesture.

“Kiss me.”

You blinked at her command, she stood there defiantly for a moment nodding towards you.

“Go on, kiss me.”

“So bossy…” You mumbled and she merely sniggered.

“You like me bossy.”

With that you couldn’t argue.

Leaning in you closed the space that separated you from her, a hand on her waist and the other holding her right hand brushing your lips against hers while feeling her warm breath against your lips. It was a featherlike touch, the sweet teasing just before you sealed the command with a searing kiss. It was as if you had never kissed her before, lips moulding to the needs of the other while the electric shock that went from the connection stirred your heard and mind warming up your limbs while she pressed tightly against yours.

At times, kissing Wanda was like fighting over dominance, it was like a game that would always bring a smile to your faces and leave the both of you breathless. Some other times, like this one, it left you two with a beating heart and a need to just exist with the other.

When you finally broke apart, your forehead rest against hers, only the mask preventing for your skin touching hers. Wanda grinned goofily nuzzling her nose with yours.

“Thank you.”

“Whatever you want, Love, you know that.”

Wanda stepped back nodding, “I know, now let’s keep going.”

You chuckled shaking your head while glancing in faux exasperation to the sky.

“So bossy.”

The sun positioned itself above your heads, and while the wind brought with it the cold breeze of the Alps, you still felt the heavy warmness of the star above your heads.

People filled out the streets, the music and the laughter accompanied you two down the road leading to the Saint Mark’s Square down to the harbour and the road leading to the tail of Venice. You had been there only once, with your sister when the adventures you shared were only shared with your family and not with the woman you had fallen in love with.

The commercial side of Venice started dying out, and these parts became of a green that still surprised you whenever your eyes fell upon them. Grass and trees decorate the streets, and the stone on these places had been renewed quite recently. People walked around wearing their everyday clothes, with just a couple of the passersby wearing the customary clothes for the Carnival.

Whenever you crossed a bridge, people would greet the both of you with a smile.

And you soon found in a different world.

This time around you had the ocean to your right, and the love of your life to your left.

The world had changed from a Renaissance era to one of contemporary forgetfulness. It was a land in which time did not pass, yet it had come in the form of peace and familiarity. The parks spread before your eyes, the silence was most welcome to your ears, and soon the loneliness became a welcoming change.

“I was trying to look for a place that could…impact you.” Wanda started talking slowly, the sound of her heels resounding in the empty streets. “I search for a good place, something tranquil for you and me. And then I came across this restaurant, and I thought that it would be the perfect place to enjoy a nice lunch with you.”

Your heart shrank at her words, the tingling in your chest spread out until there was a delicious sensation of anticipation in your abdomen.

“I know sometimes I’m hard to read, and I’m not very open with you…” She continued, taking your silence as a way to continue the conversation. “I just wanted to show you that…I have never wanted anyone beside me but you in this place. Living these adventures.”

“My, Wanda, since when are you so romantic and emotional?” You teased breaking the tension she had formed around herself, when she lifted her face to yours she was smiling bumping against your shoulder.

“I learned from the best.”

“You better!” You exclaimed shaking your head. “I have never thought you were not open, or hard to read, Wanda. I have always understood your silence, but I take what you’re saying…thank you for letting me be a part of this.”

“You better be thankful; I took most of the day looking for this place instead of working on a report I had to submit at that time.”

You laughed shaking your head, this confession only made your heart leaped with contentment. If that was true then she really had put her mind and heart into this search; there was nothing in the world that would make her procrastinate her job. Nothing and No one.

The place had been built it in a residential part of the city, it oversaw the lagoon and the entrance to the Adriatic while at the same time enjoyed the fortune of a park and trees that gave the district a livelier and more natural. In here, you could almost taste the salty texture of the sea and the coldness of the north. By the time you reached your destination, the canals and the bridges were forgotten and for the very first time you understood the nickname of the city: La Serenissima.

The restaurant ended up being a homey place with kind patrons, and not many people.

You chose a table right outside the restaurant, an old man with a passionate speech brought the menu and talk about the specials. His English was broken, and with your broken Italian the both of you enjoyed a light banter Wanda observed from afar. For her it had always been quite a sight to see you interact with people, for a person that looked shy and insecure at times, you were always ready to be the first to speak and take over conversation if the situation demanded it.

You turned to her smiling, pointing to the best dishes while also ordering their best Spritz Aperol as an opening. The lights around the local had been turned on, and the dark clouds announcing rain were approaching from the Adriatic. The conversation soon turned to work, the latest happenings and the future of your position, the gossip couldn’t be missed and as soon as food was served you two started talking about the family and friends.

There was always something to talk about, but even if you tried to make it all look natural, Wanda didn’t miss the fact you hold yourself in a very important aspect of the conversation. You never mentioned your future together.

“Do you think we are going to last?” Her question caught you by surprised and you almost choke on the piece of pizza you had just swallowed.

Wanda stood right away patting your back with a frown on her face, the concern was evident in her expression while she tried to offer you some water that you took quite grateful. After a couple of minutes, she sat down, and now it was quite evident the whole situation was amusing for her.

“Woah, I take it you don’t think we last?” Her tone had a hint of teasing in there, but her eyes were asking with seriousness for a real answer.

You shook your head placing your hand on hers, for a brief moment you thought about the ring and how this could be your chance. But the conversation of the day before, and your own insecurities stopped you from doing something foolish; instead of that, you decided to just answer with honestly.

“Never.” You stated clearing out your throat and drinking some more water. “The moment I saw you I thought you were not for me. I always thought you were perfect, like the kind of woman I had been looking for but…but could never had.”

“Love…” Wanda started but you stopped her with a gesture, the softness of your lips curling upwards told her you were talking with honesty about then and now.

“I just…I was so afraid to even ask or do something else…I didn’t want to miss my chance with you, even if I only got to be your friend.” You shrugged lowering your glance to the table remembering all those days, weeks, and months in which you broke your head trying to make sense of everything you felt for the woman sitting right next to you.

“And then, when you and I finally got together well…You are the love of my life, and I will be with you for as long as you have me, Wanda.” You finally stated shrugging. “I don’t think it will be possible for me to stop loving you in the way I do so now, if anything, I think everyday I love you even more.”

“God, you always have such a way with words.” Wanda said after a long paused, she grabbed your jabot and pushed you forward crashing her lips to yours before letting go. “You really…I think we need to pay this and go for a walk.”

You blinked confusedly at her sudden changed in attitude, afternoon was already falling and many lamp posts were starting to ignite with the yellowish lights of the night. Wanda came in after having paid for lunch, grabbing your hand you were once more dragged down the park and through the grass to the farthest corner of the city.

The sight in here was completely different.

From this part of the world, you could only see the waters of the Lagoon whole the world became a blurry line of buildings and lights. There was not a single sound that you could make, and even if there were people around the both of you were alone standing at the shore glancing the dark waters and feeling the breeze in your faces.

You admired the sight before you.

A city that had survived time and war, a place that had stood through the centuries while becoming a beacon of modernity and rebirth. Wanda stood by your side, her arms wrapping around herself while she too observed the waters of the Lagoon.

“Thank you.” You mumbled smiling softly. “This is amazing.”

“I knew you would like it.” She replied shrugging, her hand went to the purse she had been carrying around, her cheeks soon turned an interesting shade of red that made you tilted your head in curiosity.

Wanda took a deep breath and put something from her purse while turning to face you.

“Yes.” She said with her voice firm, full of conviction even though her lower lip was quivering and her hands had been fidgeting nervously.

You raised a single brow, your eyes showing the confusion you felt while you pursed your lips to the side.

“What?” You replied almost laughing when your words died in your throat, your eyes going wide open when she presented her left hand and the ring with the turquoise stone shining into the venetian afternoon.

“Yes.” You replied bouncing lightly on her feet, you opened and closed your mouth several times, frowning while taking a step back.

“How…I mean, why do you…” You started asking but unsure of what exactly you wanted from this conversation, Wanda stepped forward grabbing your hand.

“I found it in your backpack, and I knew you wanted to do this because…you’re not very subtle.” She said lowering her gaze before lifting her eyes at you, this time around the sight of unshed tears was quite visible for you.

“I never thought…You didn’t want to get married.” She said softly, and you remembered that first conversation you held with her. Your past, and your previous relationship. “And then I discover this and I…you wrote what you wanted to tell me and I realized…I wanted to surprise you. And yesterday, when I said what I said I knew I was right…you were sad, and so…and still…”

“And still, I wanted to be with you.” You mumbled understanding her reasoning. “You thought I was doing it out of commitment and not because I wanted to be with you like that.”

“Yeah.”

“Wanda, I love you. I never thought about marriage, that’s true…but with you, everything changes.” You took her left hand, your eyes on the ring. “So, you will be my wife?”

Her laughter came out with a choked sob, her arms wrapped around you and you could hear her soft voice in your ear.

“Yes, I will.”

The night finished with the both of you whispering into the night.

It was neither rushed, nor was it adventurous.

It was passionate.

With soft caresses and sweet promises, with mischievous games and subtle confessions of love.

By the time she had fallen asleep in your arms, you could not sleep. Your eyes had been focusing on the ring she had stolen from your backpack and was now wearing proudly on her finger. She was not a lover of social media, if anything, she preferred to be anonymous to the world while it was you the one posting the pictures of the trip. That day it had been her the one posting the cold afternoon sunset, and the sweet images of people having fun. It had been her the one posting the picture of the both of you dressed up for the Carnival with the mask and the hats, the smiles and the promises of the future.

The ring had been visible, but her main focused had been the promises given that day.

The pictures had been part of the promise of what the future held.

Next time, when you and her returned to Venice it would be as more than a couple.

And that, was all that matters.

#Wanda Maximoff #Wanda/F!Reader #Wanda/Reader #Female reader #a truth story #personal #fanfic #wanda maximoff x reader #wandaxreader #imagine wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x female reader #reader

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dcxdpdabbles · 1 month

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I don’t know if you’ve done something like this before, but I always see Danny as the bigger brother and Damian as the younger brother. What if it was swapped and Damian was the older brother? I feel like there’s so many ways this could go.

Maybe Damian was a really good big brother and loved Danny, but it was seen as a weakness and Danny was taken away from him by Talia or Ra’s? And when he arrives at Gotham, he’s used to being the big brother not the baby brother, and doesn’t know how to react.

Or maybe Damian was a bad older brother and now that he’s a part of the batfam he can see how older brothers are meant to treat their siblings, and regrets his and Danny’s relationship?

Or maybe, he didn’t even know about Danny and feels he’s been replaced as the Demon’s heir. (Especially with Danny’s powers – I feel like Damian would just think that he’d been replaced by a better model)

I hope this makes sense. Idk I just feel there’s so many possibilities.

Ten years old: Damian

Damian bursts and slams the door of his room, fuming. It makes a nasty crack appear on the door frame, which he knows will get him another scold once Pennyworths spots it.

As if that servant has any right to speak to him, let alone reprimand him. Pennyworth seems to be under the impression that his impish wit is appropriate behavior when addressing the masters of the house.

Why does Father tolerate such behavior? Damian will never know. If it were his grandfather or Mother Pennyworth's entire bloodline, it would have been erased for even thinking about it.

Perhaps it is due to Father's modest way of living.

Damian had been shocked to find that his esteemed father, the one he had spent his entire life proving he was worthy to meet, lived in such a tiny manor. Damian was raised in castles upon private islands with an army of servants. He at first thought it was due to Father wanting to live without many earthly possessions, to appreciate the green of the world, and to live honorably.

He had no idea his Father simply couldn't afford the lifestyle Damian grew up in.

If that wasn't bad enough, Father seemed attached to his idiotic and weak adoptive brood. He acted as if they were blood children! What's worse is that he expected Damian to do the same. Then, when Damian treated them like blood siblings and took them as a real threat to his inheritance and tried to eliminate them, his father grew upset with him!

That is not how you treat your brother. Father had sneered at him once he threw Drake over the railing of the cave. He thought the man would have been proud he had been able to catch the smartest one off guard, had been clever enough to lure him to the edge.

Damian had been sent to his room, forbidden from training and going out on patrol while the rest of the brood had gone out. He had been punished like a child.

He throws himself onto his bed, muffling his outrage screams into his pillow—a terrible habit he only allowed himself to partake in when alone.

"Not how you treat a brother," he scoffs, his lips moving in his native tongue but his voice muffled against his pillowcase. Suddenly, a flash of bright blue eyes that used to stare up at him in trusted awe crosses his mind. His scowl deepens as he squishes the image, just as he had tramped on that foolish trust years ago.

Everyone knew that blood siblings were the only competition that needed to be eliminated. He may have allowed himself the passing fancy of caring for his younger brother back in his youth, but Damian had outgrown such attachments.

He had no time for them.

He was disadvantaged in the Wayne household since now he was the youngest and not the eldest. Damian would not allow himself to be dealt with as Dann- as his younger brother had.

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Fourteen years old: Damian

Damian took a deep breath, allowing Gotham's crisp, foggy air to rush into his lungs, bringing peace alongside it. He sat with his legs crossed and his arms resting comfortably upon his knees, palms facing the sun, on top of the large boulder his father had installed inside of Damian's meditational garden.

The meditational garden had been his eleventh birthday present.

Back then, Damian had still been getting used to living with the man, and it had taken only a tiny argument where Damian may have let it slip that even the gardens were wrong and he hated living here.

It hadn't meant anything to Damian, just a show of his lack of control over his emotions, but Father had taken it rather seriously. He felt he needed to help Damian find comfort in his new surroundings.

His father had rearranged the entire west garden to reflect the Chinese-inspired gardens where he used to sit with his mother. The first time Damian saw the revealed landscaped project, he felt his breath hitched at how accurate everything was.

He hadn't known tears had fallen from his eyes until Richard had wiped them off for him.

Damian often found himself retreating to his garden- for it was his. Father had allowed him to fence it off, keeping all his other Waynes Siblings out of Damian's space- whenever life got too complicated at the manor.

He would go. He found that all his life lessons on how to handle blood siblings, killing, and basically everything Damian was got him yelled at and regarded as a monster rather than a prodigy.

He went here when it became apparent that he was not making friends with others his age in or out of the Robin suit. When Drake, Todd, and Richard laugh, they reference stories or experiences foreign to Damian.

He came to this garden the day he realized that his mother loved him, but only under certain conditions. He no longer fit those conditions, so she threw him away.

He had been eleven, then twelve, then thirteen, yet the pain of her betrayal had never lessened. The directionlessness that haunted his ever-waking hour threatened to drown him most days, especially as he found it harder and harder to be content with his peers.

Damian may not fit in places, but he did here in his meditational garden. He felt himself pulled to the large, smooth boulder right by the pavilion, for its shape reminded him of long days past.

Damian had survived all the changes in his life because of this boulder. It was tall, smooth, and a good two heads taller than he, even after hitting a growth spurt on his thirteenth birthday.

He remembers hopping on three nearby rocks to reach the top, just as his younger brother used to do in Mother's garden. Had the boy also used the tallest boulder to escape the dread of his uselessness? Did he, too, used to sit in the same pose, breathing slowly and evenly, attempting to tame the unease that rested underneath his skin?

Had he gone back to Mother's garden if Damian had failed in removing him from the line of succession?

The brief reminder of the boy makes Damian stomach roll.

The reason why he chose this boulder for meditation didn't matter. Damian had made his choice all those years ago. He had not regretted his actions back then.

Now, he had to live with what he had done.

He takes another deep breath, trying to suppress the impish laughter of his younger brother, who used to smile at him like he hung the stars and the moon.

When he breathes out, the laughter turns to screams. The echo of mother's dark laughter and Father's weeps.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nineteen years old: Damian

Damian is hard at work within his WE office. He has been recently placed in charge of the Meta-Youth Outreach community, and he wants to show Tim and Father that he can be trusted with such an important role.

Every day, more Metas were popping up in younger generations. Unlike when Damian was a boy, the kids seemed unafraid to show off their powers. Their peers rallied around them loudly, demanding tolerance just as the generations before them demanded for the LGBT and POC communities.

Of course, not all of them, but enough that Damian felt there was real hope for future metas. It wasn't taboo to carry the gene anymore. That was leaps and bounds ahead when he had been running around as Robin.

He now worked under a new title, Crow, and had passed placed Robin in retirement. Now, the title and role sit in the cave, waiting for someone new to take up its call.

Jason joked that two years was far too long, and Father was due to arrive soon with another blue-eyed, dark-haired child ready to take on the world. Damian can hardly wait. He is ready to train and inspire the new Robin.

Maybe it will even be a meta child. Duke and Jarro were tired of being the only ones with powers in the family.

I might even find the next Robin on this list. Damian thinks with a chuckle, reading over the children's names his program would be housing this coming summer. He designed the camp to help teens learn to control their powers in a safe environment but also let them meet others like them and help them build meaningful relationships.

It was mostly kids who just unlocked their meta genes—most facing a traumatic event, but others waking up one day with the power no longer dormant.

He did not want the kids to feel like they were being sent to a lab to be studied. Damian knew something about being angry, confused about the change, and wanting to help them find their way.

He also had some experience with meta children. After all, his younger brother had been a meta. Damian's mother had convinced him that Danyal's powers made him a better heir and, thus, a bigger threat.

He had befriended his brother to lure him to his death, but he had taken time to help him learn of his ice powers, and for a while, he had made Danyal truly happy.

Damian could never make it up to him, could never wash away the blood on his hands, and even though he had told his family long ago, even though Father had wept, his father and brothers had forgiven him.

Damian is grateful, but he has not forgiven himself.

He hadn't been the one to land the killing blow on Danyal; it had been his mother who took the dark honor. Danyal hadn't looked like the perfect blend of his parents but rather a closer copy of his Father and she hated him for it.

Damian knew he played the most important role in her plan.

He wanted to dedicate his life to bettering the lives of children like Danyal, born with powers in a world that was cruel to his kind. He tried to help create a world where children like him could find resources for help and learn to run around and laugh without a care.

Damian signs on the last acceptance letter—one Danny Fenton, whose parents discovered he became a meta only a few months ago. He wants to come to camp to learn how to use his energy blasts, and he takes a deep breath.

Fifty new children for the Danyal Memorial Movement. Hopefully, he can help them all.

14 years old: Danny

Meanwhile, Danny's adoptive parents know he isn't a meta, as Danny had already told them about Phantom, but Maddie wants to surprise her boy with the meta camp anyway. She knows Danny still looks up to his big brother even after all these years.

The older one did help smuggle him out of the League of Assiasngs the day Ra ordered his death. Talia had loved her sons to the bitter end, and she called upon her two old college friends to raise her youngest in her place.

Jack couldn't agree more with her idea, knowing Danny had followed all the news about Damian. His boy hadn't been able to get closer to his dear elder brother, for doing so would have earned all the hard work his birth mother and elder brother did to get him to safety, but now that Ra and his army have perished, he thinks it's time to reunite the two.

In Talia's memory, they will ensure Danny and Damian meet again.

#dcxdpdabbles #dcxdp crossover #Dear Elder Brother's Mistakes #I tried the 3 + 1 story structure #Danny is Damian younger brother #Damian growing up after “killing” Danny #Danny thinks Damian was aware of the plan to help him escape #Talia died offscreen and never told them the truth

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